Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare (REACH)
Purpose
The purpose of REACH is to provide Montana high school students a chance to learn about careers within the healthcare field by offering them an opportunity to explore and experience various healthcare careers. We want to encourage the next generation of youth to choose fulfilling careers in the high skill, high demand, and high pay healthcare industry. REACH is a one-day program, taking place at the local healthcare facility that provides high school students the opportunity to explore the healthcare field through a variety of hands-on stations and activities. Professionals from the sponsoring healthcare facility lead the stations, volunteering their time and talent to mentor students and share their expertise.
Stations
REACH usually contains a series of 7-8 stations, each approximately 30-45 minutes in length, led by professionals from the sponsoring healthcare facility. The total number and length of stations can vary depending on the sponsoring healthcare facility. Students are divided into groups and rotate from station to station throughout the day. The first few minutes of each station is a brief “lecture” by the provider about how they got into healthcare and their educational journey. The remainder (and majority) of the station is devoted to a hands-on activity led by the provider. The hands-on activities are designed to give the students a more realistic impression of the particular healthcare career.
Possible station topics in the Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare (R.E.A.C.H) Program:
Lab
Emergency Room
Radiology
Physical Therapy
Medical Office
EMT/Life Flight
Nursing & Clinic